The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through their joint Thrive Tajikistan: Partnership for Socio-Economic Development project, officially commissioned a new drinking water supply system and a latrine at School #20 in Safedoron village in Panj district, Khatlon province. This drinking water supply system will provide clean water to more than 2,700 people, and the school latrine will ensure modern sanitation services to more than 640 students and teachers, with separate spaces for males and females.
At the event, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, the Honorable Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, addressed the community, stating that “The people of Safedoron are fortunate. Before, they consumed unsafe water from an irrigation canal, and now, while we celebrate the 30 years of Tajikistan's independence, we also celebrate the day when clean and safe drinking water runs to each of their houses.”
Safedoron’s residents have not had reliable water supply since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 2019, a newly created Village Organization identified access to water and sanitation as their community’s top priority.
AKF and the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), with support from USAID, responded to the needs of the community. In order to ensure the sustainability of this new physical infrastructure, Thrive established a water user committee to oversee its operations and management. This project also launched a community outreach campaign to increase awareness and encourage behavior change that will lead to improved sanitation and hygiene practices.
About USAID: USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. Since 1993, USAID has partnered with the Government of Tajikistan to strengthen good governance, boost economic growth, improve education, health, food security and bolster regional economic connectivity. For more information, visit the USAID/Tajikistan website: https://www.usaid.gov/tajikistan and the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.dushanbe/
About AKF USA: AKF partners with communities, nonprofits, businesses, governments, and local leaders to make long-term investments, build permanent institutions, and cultivate an active civil society. Our work focuses on improving quality of life and breaking the cycle of poverty. For 50 years, AKF has worked for the common good of all citizens, mainly in Asia and Africa, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKF is a member of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s leading poverty solutions networks, established by His Highness the Aga Khan. The AKDN helps improve the quality of life for tens of millions of people annually in 30 countries. The AKDN’s integrated multi-sector approach to development is grounded in decades of experience, learning, and evaluation. For more information on how to support the AKF, visit www.akfusa.org.
About the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat: The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), which merges the capabilities of Focus Humanitarian Assistance, the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, and the Aga Khan Development Network’s Disaster Risk Management Initiative, focuses on preparing for both sudden and slow-onset disasters. The AKAH works to ensure that poor people live in physical settings that are as safe as possible from the effects of natural disasters; that residents who live in high-risk areas are able to cope with disasters in terms of preparedness and response; and that these settings provide access to social and financial services that lead to greater opportunity and a better quality of life. Initially, priority areas of AKAH will include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and India. Read more about the agency at http://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-agency-habitat
For further information, please contact: AKAH Communications at [email protected].
